Daily GK Updates - 13th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India donates Rs 9.3 million to Mandela Foundation: India donated Rs. 9.3 million to the Nelson Mandela Foundation to help it in its welfare work for the people of South Africa.

2. Government appoints G Mahalingam as SEBI whole-time member: The government has appointed Reserve Bank's Executive Director G Mahalingam as a Whole-Time Member of markets regulator Sebi.

3. Cabinet approves setting up of IIM Jammu: The Cabinet today approved the setting up of an Indian Institute of Management in Jammu as part of PM Narendra Modi's development package for Jammu and Kashmir.

4. Punjab Agricultural University signs MoU with Field Fresh to promote crop research: Punjab Agricultural University and FieldFresh Foods, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises & Del Monte Pacific Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to carry out a corn productivity research programme.

5. Cabinet approves pact between EXIM Bank, NDB: Union Cabinet today approved a pact between Export-Import Bank of India and BRICS-promoted New Development Bank, along with other development financial institutions of member nations, with an aim to strengthen trade and economic ties.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day for Disaster Reduction observed on 13^th October: International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed annually on 13 October. This year theme is Live to Tell: Raising Awareness, Reducing Mortality.

2. Coordinated Patrol and India-Indonesia Bilateral Maritime Exercise commences in Indonesia: The 28th India and Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and Second Bilateral Maritime Exercise have commenced at Belawan, Indonesia in the Andaman Sea.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Bank of Baroda signs brand endorsement with Sindhu, Srikanth: Public lender Bank of Baroda today sealed a principal sponsorship contract with badminton Olympians P V Sindhu and K Srikanth. The three-year deal with the two players was agreed in-principle before they represented and made India proud on the international stage at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

2. Bank of Maharashtra renews tie-up with United India Insurance: State-run Bank of Maharashtra has renewed its corporate agency tie-up with United India Insurance Company. Customers can buy the entire gamut of UIIC products at any of the 1,896 branches of the bank across the country.

3. ICICI Bank first Indian lender to execute Blockchain transaction: ICICI Bank has become the first Indian lender to complete a banking transaction using Blockchain technology. This remittance transaction has been completed in partnership with Emirates NBD, a lender from the West Asia.

AWARDS:

4. Bob Dylan wins 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature: American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature 2016 "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition".

5. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank awarded by Ugandan government for his literary work: Former Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has been conferred with a prestigious award by the Ugandan government for promoting human values through his literature.

Daily GK Updates - 12th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Telangana gets 21 new districts: Nearly two-and-half years after it came into existence as India's 29th state, Telangana's map was redrawn on 11 October 2016 with the creation of 21 new districts.With these, the total number of districts of the youngest state of India went up to 31.

2. 1^st BRICS Trade Fair and Exhibition begins in Delhi today: The first BRICS Trade Fair and Exhibition began in the national capital today, ahead of the BRICS political summit in Goa. The fair is a platform for respective BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to exhibit state-of-the-art technologies and advances made in industrial development.

3. India now the 12^th largest holder of US Government bonds: India’s holdings of the US government bonds touched a high of $123.7 billion in July, making it the 12th largest holder, US Treasury Department's latest data showed.

4. Kabaddi World Cup venue is India’s first convertible stadium: The Arena by TransStadia in Ahmedabad, venue of the ongoing Kabaddi World Cup, is India's first convertible stadium.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. First World Tsunami Awareness Day to be observed on November 5, 2016: The government of India will be observing the First World Tsunami Awareness Day on November 5.It will be observed during the upcoming Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016.The conference is slated to take place in Delhi from November 2 to November 5.

2. Global Hunger Index 2016: India ranked 97th out of 118 countries on the International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI) Global Hunger Index (GHI) in 2016, behind Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, among others, but ahead of Pakistan and three other Asian countries. It was positioned at 80 out of 104 countries the previous year.

3. Morocco king reappoints Abdelilah Benkirane as PM: Abdelilah Benkirane, the leader of Morocco's Islamic Justice and Development Party, has been appointed for another term as the country's prime minister.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. R Ashwin regains no. 1 spot in Test rankings: Indian off-spinner RavichandranAshwin today reclaimed the number one spot in Test rankings for bowlers following a career-best match haul of 13 for 140 in the third Test against New Zealand in Indore.

AWARDS:

2. Sir Ian McKellen honoured at UK Theatre Awards: Veteran actor Ian McKellen was honoured at the UK Theatre Awards that took place on October 9 in London for his individual contributions to British theatre. McKellen was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre prize.

OBITUARIES:

3. Style Icon Parmeshwar Godrej passes away at 70: Parmeshwar Godrej, philanthropist and wife of Godrej group chairman Adi Godrej passed away in Mumbai on October 11, 2016.

4. Oscar-winning Polish film director Wajda dies aged 90: Oscar-winning Film director Andrzej Wajda, best known for chronicling Poland's struggle for democracy during half a century of communist rule, has died at the age of 90.

Daily GK Updates - 11th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. GST lends more weight to India’s 8% growth projection as per a report by S&P: Calling GST as the most important structural reform till date by the Modi government, S&P Global Ratings said on 11th October 2016 the passage of the indirect tax law gives it additional conviction of India clocking 8 per cent growth in the next few years. “India’s GST passage gives us additional conviction around our 8%-ish GDP growth forecast over the next few years,” it said in a report titled ‘Asia-Pacific steadies while China goes silent’.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day of the Girl Child observed on 11^th October: International Day of the Girl is observed annually on 11 October; it is also called the Day of the Girl. The theme for this year's International Day of the Girl (11 October) is "Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress: What Counts for Girls". On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

2. Russia and Turkey agree to intensify military, intelligence contacts: The Russian and Turkish leaders have agreed to intensify military and intelligence contacts after a meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. After his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, they have agreed on the need for aid to get to the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. The two countries have also signed a deal to construct two pipelines to send Russian gas under the Black Sea to Turkey. Ties were strained after Turkish forces downed a Russian war plane in November 2015. Speaking at a joint news conference with Mr Putin, Mr Erdogan said he was confident that the normalisation of relations would take place rapidly.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Standard Chartered Bank forms tie-up with Uber: Foreign lender Standard Chartered Bank has announced a tie-up with Uber under which its credit cardholders, across six countries, will get a cash-back of up to 25 per cent for hailing cabs from the app.

SPORTS:

2. Virat Kohli presented with ICC Test Championship mace: Indian captain Virat Kohli was presented with the ICC Test Championship mace for leading his team to the top of the Test Team Ranking. The mace was presented by former India captain and ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar at a ceremony following the conclusion of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Indore after the home team completed a 3-0 whitewash.

Daily GK Updates - 10th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES

1.    MP to launch “Laalima Abhiyan” to make state free from Anaemia: With an aim to make Madhya Pradesh anaemia-free, the state government has decided to launch a scheme, “Laalima Abhiyan” that will be effective from 1^st November 2016. Under the campaign, free iron folic acid tablets will be provided in ‘Aaganwadis’, academic institutions and hospitals.

2.  BHEL commissions another 660 MW Thermal Unit in UP:State-run BHEL has commissioned 660 MW coal-based supercritical thermal power units in Uttar Pradesh. The unit has been commissioned at the 3x660 MW Prayagraj super thermal power project, located in Bara Tehsil in Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The project is owned by Prayagraj Power Generation Company Ltd (PPGCL), a subsidiary company of Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd.

3.   Renu Pall appointed as the next ambassador of India to Austria: The Ministry of External Affairs announced the former Indian Foreign Service officer Ms.Renu Pall as the next Ambassador of India to Austria.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1.   World Mental Health Day observed on 10^th October:  World Mental Health Day is observed annually on 10 October.  The day is annually observed with an aim to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health. The theme for this year is ‘Psychological First Aid’.

2.      ‘Aiyoh’ now a word in the Oxford English Dictionary: The Oxford English Dictionary has included "Aiyoh" and "Aiyah" in its latest edition. The word has been defined as, "In southern India and Sri Lanka, expressing distress, regret, or grief; 'Oh no!', 'Oh dear!'". 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.     Andy Murray defeats Grigor Dimitrov to win China Open: British tennis player Andy Murray beat Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets to win the China Open on 9 October 2016. Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska defeated British tennis player Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2 to win the China Open Women's Singles at Beijing, China. 

2.   Indian shuttler Ruthvika Shivani wins Russian Open Grand Prix Title: India's 19-year-old shuttler Ruthvika Shivani Gadde won the women's singles title at the Russian Open in Vladivostok. Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N. Sikki Reddy added to India's tally by winning the mixed doubles title at the event

3.     Nico Roseberg wins the Japanese Grand Prix: Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP won the Japan Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton finished the GP with Nico Rosberg, second and third respectively. 

AWARDS:

4. Nobel Prize in Economics 2016 has been awarded to Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmstrom: Two U.S-based economists, Oliver Hart of Harvard University and Bengt Holmstrom of MIT have been awarded the 'SverigesRiksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel' for their contributions to contract theory. Last year Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Angus Deaton "for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare".

5.   Jitu Rai named the “Champion of Champions” by the ISSF:The International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) has awarded ace shooter, Jitu Rai, the 'Champion of Champions' title for pistol shooting in 2016.Jitu on 9 October 2016 beat Serbia's Damir Mikec, 29.6 to 28.3 in the Champions Trophy 10m Air Pistol final.

OBITUARIES:

6.      Former Boxing Champion Aaron Pryor dies at 60: American boxer Aaron Pryor died on 9 October 2016 at the age of 60 after a long battle with heart disease. Pryor built a 39-1 record with 35 knockouts during his career.

Daily GK Updates - 9th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.    Union Power Minister ensures electricity for all by May 2017: Piyush Goyal, the Union Power Minister, has assured that India would have 100% electrification for all by May 1, 2017. He also launched the Urban JyotiAbhiyaan Mobile (Urja) application which is developed by the state-run Power Finance Corporation, to enhance consumer connection with the urban power distribution sector.

2.   Devendra Fadnavis inaugurates India’s first International Arbitration Centre: The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, DevendraFadnavis has inaugurated India’s first centre for International Arbitration in Mumbai. The Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA) will be governed by a 17-member governing council. It will initially be located at Express Towers.

3.  Bathukamma Event enters the Guinness Book of World Records: The Telangana government on Saturday organised the traditional state festival of 'Bathukamma' at the LalBahadur stadium in Hyderabad. The event which was attended by about 10,000 women, found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Further the Telangana government has declared 'Bathukamma' as a state festival.

4.      P.V Sindhu becomes the Brand Ambassador of Vizag Steel: Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), the corporate entity of Vizag Steel, has roped in top ranked Indian Badminton Player P.V Sindhu as its brand ambassador. Sindhu, currently amongst the top 10 ranked players in the world, is the first Indian female athlete to win the Olympic silver medal at the Rio Olympics and she is also the first athlete to win back-to-back medals at the World Badminton Championships.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.     Luo Zhaohui China’s new ambassador to India: China's President Xi Jinping has appointed Luo Zhaohui, a senior diplomat with previous assignments in Pakistan and Canada, as China’s new ambassador to India. He will take over from former Chinese ambassador to India Le Yucheng who left New Delhi in April.

2.      World Post Day celebrated on 9^th October:World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October. This day is basically the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. The theme for 2016 is Innovation, Integration and Inclusion.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.    Harika Dronavalli beats Hou Yifan at International Chess Meet:  India's Harika Dronavalli defeated World No. 1 Hou Yifan of China to be at joint fourth position in the Isle of Man international Chess tournament. The tournament carried on from 1^st October to 9^th October, 2016. Harika is now with five points after seven rounds, just one and a half points behind the championship leader Eljanov Pavel of Ukraine.

AWARDS:

2.  Sprinter Srabani Nanda wins Ekalavya Award:Sprinter SrabaniNanda has bagged the 24th Ekalavya Award for the year 2016 in recognition of her sporting excellence. Srabani won gold in 200m, silver in 100m and 4x100m relay in 12th South Asian Games held in Guwahati in February. She had also won bronze in 100m and 4x100m relay in Asian Grand Prix Athletics in Thailand in June 2015.

Daily GK Updates - 8th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Indian Air Force Day: 8 October: The Air Force Day 2016 is observed annually on 8 October across India. This year is the 84th celebration of the Day which began in 1932.

2. Maharashtra becomes 17th state to join UDAY Scheme: Maharashtra became the 17th state to Central Government’s Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojna (UDAY) scheme.

3. Women can also be prosecuted under domestic violence law: SC: Not only men but women can also be prosecuted under the Protection of Women against Domestic Violence (DV) Act.

4. Forex reserves touch record high of $372 billion: India's foreign exchange reserves scaled a new high of USD 371.99 billion. The reserves had risen by USD 1.166 billion to USD 370.766 billion. 

5.Rs.114 crore approved for HRIDAY projects: The Union Ministry of Urban Development has approved projects worth Rs.114 crore under HRIDAY scheme for improving infrastructure facilities around core heritage sites in five cities. 

6. India to host conference on Disaster Risk Reduction:India will host the Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) next month. The three-day conference, to be held from November 3, is being organised in collaboration with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)

7. Doordarshan, IGNOU sign agreement for telecast of GyanDarshan channels: Doordarshan and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) have entered into an agreement for transmission of four Gyan Darshan educational channels.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES: 

1.Pound crashes 6% in 2 minutes: The pound saw a sudden collapse in intra-day trade on 08 October 2016, plunging over 6% to $1.1841 in two minutes, to hit a fresh 31-year-low. This reportedly followed a 'flash crash' driven by a technical glitch that created a lot of computer-driven orders.

Daily GK Updates - 7th October, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling honoured for development leadership: Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has been honoured with prestigious "Sustainable Development Leadership Award" by President Pranab Mukherjee.

2. Three agreements between India & Switzerland on Mutual Visa Exemption Return:
i. Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for Holders of Diplomatic Passports.

ii. Technical Arrangements on Identification and Return of Illegal Migrants and Arrangement for Dependent Person of Diplomatic, Consular, Technical andIndia& Switzerland.

iii. Administrative Staff of Diplomatic and Consular Mission to Perform Gainful Employment.

3. Government integrates 250 mandis in 10 states with e-agriculture market in 1st phase: The government has integrated 250 mandis in 10 states with the electronic national agriculture market (e-NAM) in the first phase.

4. Arjun Vajpal scales Mt. Cho Oyu: Arjun Vajpai, a 23-year-old professional mountaineer from Noida, became the youngest in the world to scale the Mount Cho Oyu, the 6th highest mountain peak in the world at 8,188 metres above sea level.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nobel Peace Prize for Colombia's Juan Manuel Santos: Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the 52-year conflict with left-wing rebels.

2. New frog species discovered in Australia:A new frog species, which closely resembles the Graceful tree frog (Litoria Gracilenta), was discovered in Australia’s largest virgin forest in Queensland. 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Indian shooter JituRai on 6 October 2016 clinched a silver medal in the 50-meter pistol event of the ISSF World Cup Final at Bologna, Italy.

OBITUARIES:

2. Freedom fighter Ramesh Kulkarni passed away: Freedom fighter and Congress leader Ramesh Kulkarni passed away on 6 October 2016 in Thane following a brief illness.

3. Manipur theatre legend Kanhailal passed away: Manipur-based theatre legend HeisnamKanhailal passed away on 6 October 2016 following a brief illness in Imphal. He was 75.